If you care to share...

I just re-read this post from last summer: 
My Favorite of The Four Agreements

This is what it made me think:

As I have gotten older one thing I have learned is to know when I am wrong.
When I'm wrong I say I'm wrong.

What I am working on is having the awareness BEFORE taking the "wrong" action.

Even if it's with speech:

4 Sufi Gates for Speech
Gate 1. Are these words true? If so, we let them pass on; if not, back they go.

Gate 2. Are these words necessary? If so, we let them pass on; if not, back they go.

Gate 3. Are these words Beneficial? If so, we let them pass on; if not, back they go.

Gate 4. Are they kind? If the answer to any of these is no, then what you are about to say should be left unsaid.


Why not add these pre-requisites to all your social media postings as well.  If what you are posting is not true, not necessary, not beneficial or not kind, then don't share. Namaste!

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Respectfully & Sincerely yours,

JeWeLs

SoulMate

Have you ever been struck by a loss that isn't immediately yours yet you become impacted in a critical way?

Yesterday, my friend's best friend's husband passed away. 
I have not met my friend's best friend but I have been hearing about her for a while now. She seems like a very cool person who I would love to get to know. A person full of focus, love, joy, determination, strength and so much grace.

The man that passed was a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a friend and a person who was greatly admired and loved.  It's no wonder the couple found each other.  What an obvious and perfect connection.
I know many folks shrill at the thought of perfection but what this couple found was a perfect love. What a blessing to have had this experience.  

Sadness is looming large in my spirit today but at the same time I am so happy for the love these two beings were able to share.

I never had the opportunity to meet the man and will soon meet his amazing widow but I have been deeply struck by his transition.  The way the wife has met this moment is something I've never really experienced first hand. She is strong, loving, and so utterly graceful.

Last night when I went to bed I said a prayer for her and her family. I prayed they find all the strength and love to persevere in this physical world as their Patriarch has transitioned to the spirit world. I pray for their health and their safety and for the assurance that their husband and father lives within their hearts.

Times are challenging right now, I know but if you have a moment check out this fund raiser page and donate  some money to the family.  No amount is too small and will be welcomed with great gratitude!

Fund Raiser for the Suaza Family

In the words of his beloved soulmate, "he did not waste a second of his life. He was amazing."

John Marlon Suaza, May your soul Rest in Peace as you continue your adventures in the afterlife!

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Thank you for reading and sharing.

Namaste!

Birds of a Feather

"Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres." 

The English translation is, "Birds of a feather fly together."

My folks spent many a days saying this to me when I was younger. I don't know if I believed it until I was in my early twenties but I never really "got it" until my late thirties.

In my life experience, truer words have never been spoken.

Look around you, every person in your circle is a mirror for you, as you are also a mirror for them.

What does that truly mean? What are your thoughts on this notion? Do you agree or disagree?
Where, if anywhere, have you seen examples of this in your life?

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Thank you for reading and sharing.

Namaste!

PS: One of my former school mates taught me the Italian version of the quote:
"Dimmi con chi voli e ti dico chi sei."
It's poetic in any language.

A Journal Entry

(Seems like I was "blogging" way before "blogging" was cool. I love that about me.)

Feb. 2, 1999

There was a sense of brotherhood, one I had never experienced on a NYC Subway.

"There is an ill person on this train, call 9-1-1!"
Wow, I couldn't help but smile.  How amazing it was to see. Non-apathetic New Yorkers.  Call me cynical, I didn't think it was possible.

There IS hope for human kind.

The lady who was sick was all alone and when she was escorted off the train at Lexington Station I overheard a congregation of onlookers commenting on her being pregnant. I wonder was she ill from the ride or was it morning sickness.  The ride in from Queens is rarely an exciting one.  "E train to World Trade center."

"Queens Plaza...23rd Ely..." ON the E train I can relax, maybe even fall asleep- hell I usually do, even when I am standing up.  I always wonder what would happen if I got sick on the train.  Would anyone even pay attention.

The other night for some obscure reason I missed my stop.  I got off the train trecked the stairs and on my way up- bam! I fell to the ground.  It didn't surprise me to see everyone's disinterest.  Not one person turned to see if I was okay.  This morning what I experienced was human relations at it's best. Yes, call me corney, it made me smile.  It gave me hope that sensitive caring individuals surround me.  Like Goffman said in his late writings, "human beings play roles."  The role we play depends on where we are and who we are with, nevertheless, we play-- Act I...

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Namaste!

3.8.13 International Women's Day

I identify with so many things in the world.  This moment in time the three things I identify with the most are:

   A: Being Human 
   B: Being Latina 
   C: Being a Woman

Today as we celebrate the 102nd International Women's Day I just want to say thank you to all the women in the world who are an inspiration to someone.    

I want to extend my gratitude and respect to the Women who are true to themselves.  I salute the Women who keep going no matter what and know when it's time to let go. 

This lifetime I was fortunate enough to be born into a world full of Strong, Powerful, Brilliant & just all around Amazing and Phenomenal Women.

I don't have to agree with your choices, I don't have to like them.  If you live a life full of love and always intend on doing your best, you are a Women I can absolutely identify and relate to. Namaste!

To all the Women of the World, I send you love and light!

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Thank you for reading and sharing.

Namaste!

Previous Posts:

Women 2012

My Red Tent

Empowered Women

Yo Soy!

Girly Girl?!?

1, 2, 3

RECYCLE!
Please see the link herewith.
If you live in NY and want to recycle because you care about the environment, check out this link.
If your town does not recycle talk to whomever you have to talk to to make it happen.

Recycle Breakdown

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Namaste!

Coo Coo for Cookies!

On the way to the "supermarket," one day at the end of December 2012, Max gleefully screamed, "MOM! I WANT TO GO TO THE BAGEL SHOP!" STOP! STOP! PLEASE, let's go to the Bagel shop, Pretty PLEASE, with a cherry on top!"  I wanted a scooped whole wheat with tuna fish so I said, "Okay."   Max ordered a bialy and as we waited for our sandwiches to be prepared.  As I was perusing the snack shelf  I spotted a box of "Linden's Butter Crunch Cookies" and nostalgia took me back to my high school days (High School wasn't an extra special time, it just was a different time).  I added a pack to my order and moved into the eating area to enjoy our treats.  When I went to open the cookies I looked at the packaging and smiled. It was a coy smile, high school for me was from age 14 to age 18, I was an absolutely different person ( I would say, if I knew then what I know now...) four very interesting years. Most things that inspire a recollection of my younger days make me smile(more often than not), in a coy manner.  Thankfully, I read the expiration date, which was sometime in October, and I told the manager that it was expired and I guess it was in my best interest to not have any sweet snack.  The manager quickly responded, "How about a Black and White cookie? Those are extremely fresh, they just came in this morning."  

In 39 years I had NEVER had a Black and White cookie. Could you believe it?!? I thought about for a solid minute. I said, "Okay, it will be my first, it's almost a new year, why not try something new."  Believe me when I tell you I can't believe I've never had one! I absolutely loved the cookie.  Now, truth be told, I reveled in the chocolate portion and liked the white part but my son absolutely loves the white part, so together we can enjoy a complete Black and White cookie without letting any bit of it go to waste. 

Now I must tell you the truth (my truth, the Julie JeWeLs truth!) The thing about the Black and White Cookie, is it is NOT a cookie, it is a Flattened out CUPCAKE. Yes, that is EXACTLY what it is.  Could you argue against that?

I gave up Oreo cookies, left them in 2012, and thankfully I have been able to replace them with the Godsend, Black and White Cookie.

What's your favorite cookie?

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Thank you for reading and sharing.

Namaste!